Thousands of residents across Manipur’s five valley districts took to the streets for a synchronized “sound protest” to express outrage over continuing violence and the prolonged failure to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Key Highlights of the Protest
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Coordinated Noise Demonstration: Responding to a call by the Federation of Haomee, residents across valley neighborhoods took part in a 30-minute demonstration from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Participants clanged utensils, beat drums, sounded vehicle horns and sirens, struck electric poles with hammers, and chanted slogans against the government.
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Flashpoint Near Kangla Fort and Raj Bhavan: The historic Kangla Fort in Imphal served as the primary epicenter of the mobilization, drawing thousands of protesters. Tension escalated as crowds attempted to march toward the nearby Raj Bhavan (located barely 300 meters from the fort’s western gate).
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Police Action: To contain the surging crowd and secure the high-security zone, police erected barricades and deployed tear gas shells to disperse protesters. No injuries were reported.
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Key Demands Raised: Beyond expressing grief and anger over ongoing violence, protestors put forward specific socio-political demands, including:
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Implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur.
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Identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.
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Abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with armed groups.
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The widespread mobilization underscores deep-seated public frustration over the ethnic conflict that has persisted in the state since May 2023.
